ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Vikings Volleyball opened another week of play with a three-set win against the Bowie State Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.
 
"I am proud of the girls for their play tonight," said coach David Brooks. Bowie State played better than anticipated, but thanks to the energy of the Vaughan Center crowd, the girls were able to run our winning streak to 8-0 and improve to 2-0 in the CIAA."
 
The Vikings (11-2, 2-0 CIAA) were led by junior Elizabeth Kellum (Jacksonville, NC) and junior Aasia McNeil (Statesville, NC), with eight kills each. Freshman Jada Rouse (Rock Hill, SC) followed up with seven kills and led the team with ten digs. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Set 1: The first set was tight, both teams came out looking to make a statement, but the Vikings were able to pull away on a 4-1 ECSU run to take a 16-12 lead.  ECSU secured the set 25-22 off of consecutive attack errors by the Bulldogs.
 
Set 2: The Vikings quickly jumped out to a 10-5 advantage forcing the Bulldogs to charge their first timeout. The Vikings momentum could not be halted, and ECSU coasted to an 18-9 lead with kills from Rouse and McNeil. A kill from Kellum extended ECSU's lead giving the Vikings an eight-point cushion. The Vikings hit game point off a deep corner kill from Kellum, ending the set at 25-16.   
 
Set 3: The Bulldogs regained their energy and swiftly secured a 6-3 lead in the final set, but a missed serve and an electric crowd gave the Vikings the momentum right back. Bowie State and ECSU went toe to toe in the final set, the Vikings tied the score at 12-all forcing the Bulldogs to charge a timeout. Bowie State quickly regained the lead, but the Vikings answered back tying the game 15-15. A kill from Rouse and an ace from Kellum sent the Fans in the R.L. Vaughan Center into an exciting uproar. Followed by three unanswered points from the Vikings to claim a 20-18 lead forcing the Bulldogs to use their last timeout of the set. The Vikings went on a five-point run out of the timeout clinching the set 25-20.    
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday, October 2, traveling to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to compete in the CIAA Round-Up. ECSU starts the weekend of action facing the reigning CIAA Champion Broncos of Fayetteville State University at 1 pm.
 
Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre-and post-game stories and updates.
 
ECSU Athletics is also on social media, follow us on Twitter at @ECSUVikings and Instagram at @ecsusports